Talking-up Scotland

From Contrary:

Yes it makes sense, a perceived more equal society can help reduce crime and improve mental health – I would maybe add that a fairer society improves feelings of hope – another vague one! – hope for the future. Even if your life is shit, if you know your children are going to get a fair chance at life, you can have hope (etc). I’ve just read a historical novel set in the peasant rebellion of 1548, in Norwich (I’m sure you all know it well). Then, it was believed that the societal structure was as God wanted it – or rather the church (going through many rapid transitions at the time, post-Henry VIII) had sold that one for centuries – so the commons had their place, the gentlemen theirs (and all the levels of gentlemen) and never could you, or your children, ever escape from that place. Ah the feudal life, how romantic (obviously, women were closer to a family pet than a person). I propose that it is the 1500s the Tories would like to return us to, not just Victorian times. Desperate times when it was decided sheep were more valuable than common men, but you were not allowed to ever change your station above peasant (or I think feodary was the top level you could reach). I need to read some Scottish history to see how society here differed at that time, I think we were going down the feudal path then too.

I just spotted the new Scottish social services dept has Twitter, and was struck by their name (just a wee bit different from Department of Work and Pensions, 1984 style), so your article has complemented my ‘more equal’ contemplations, it’s good to see what they are doing:

Communities, social security and equalities (CSSE) Twitter
https://mobile.twitter.com/ScotGovFairer

I noticed that Clive Ponting was to be giving a talk or debate at an SNP group,,, sometime! I lost the reference to it as I got distracted by watching his no to yes phantom power video:

Clive Ponting journey to yes
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CZwJLT-oBM4&time_continue=547

It was way back in 1982-84 (about then) that Ponting decided he’d had enough of the lies and machinations of Whitehall and revealed the truth about what ministers knew about the Belgrano being illegally blown up at the Falklands. Because I’ve been watching discussions about the security and intelligence services from the late 80s, it was interesting hearing his case only mentioned a few times, but I guess it was still too fresh (though he’d been acquitted – of the made-up allegations – by then). Jock Kane’s shocking revelations about gchq being riddled with corruption and leaky and open to blackmail, ignored by successive governments (of ‘either’ side) not wanting to reform it – why wouldn’t you want to reform your intelligence services?? The amount of information that there is in the public domain, like the McCrone report, like the integrity initiative leaked documents – there is so much non-secret information that is out there, bypassed by the media, but so few know about it. It’s weird how we rely so much on media outlets.

I know you get fed up of my secret services chat, it’s not that I think the whole thing in the uk is wholly corrupt, and all of them are going to act viciously against any ‘threat’ to the union, there are factions and just as many corrupt actors as there is in public life – but I believe there are also plenty of people working in the secret services that have integrity and really do believe in the cause of protecting the uk – but if the people at the top don’t have integrity,,, . Anyway, a future independent Scotland is going to have to have security services and intelligence services – how should they be structured to ensure the core principles remain the priority, how do we stop rogue illegal corrupt practices from becoming the norm? I think the answer is similar to the new CSSE – one of the tweets or videos mentioned they had to start building the service up from scratch, because none of the practices used by the DWP could be used or copied (it’s that bad!) – I think it’ll be the same for the intelligence etc services, we’ll need things to be brand new, built from the ground up. And I find myself being far more trusting of the SNP being the driving force behind that than I would any of the other political parties. We need some brand new political parties too maybe.

I found this article quite good, the producer and director of a documentary, looking at one incident during the Troubles, were arrested and questioned for possession of secret document – the main question is, why is so much still being covered up? (Archived by Nana over on Wings)

Truth of the Troubles still suppressed
http://archive.is/ExyxZ

 

The more equal a society is the more it feels equal. The actuality and the feeling both make people happier and healthier. More equal societies have, amongst other things, lower levels of crime, less political corruption, lower levels of mental health problems, fairer employment practice and more charitable behaviour. All of these behaviour patterns make the country feel more equal and that feeling of equality makes these patterns of behaviour more likely. We know all of this is empirically true from the Spirit Level book.

That was my last reference. I’m going to write this like an opinion piece because referencing every claim would fragment the narrative. Everything I claim here is true. If you don’t believe me, search this blog, lazy sod!

Now, I know that there is still much to be anxious about. Scotland has far too much relative poverty, child poverty, drug abuse and homelessness. Even recognising the limits imposed by Westminster upon Scotland, there is more we can do. However, despite that, there is much to welcome in Scotland’s progress over the last ten years or so.

The Scottish Government is, in most ways, quite unlike that in Westminster. Sitting well to its left politically, it is by far the most trusted government in the history of Scotland or for that matter, of the UK. It has introduced universal benefits which mean that the sick need not fear the costs of medication, that the less well-off elderly need not fear isolation because of unaffordable public transport and that the young need not fear the astronomic costs of higher education faced in England. Economic poverty is lower in Scotland than in the rest of the UK. Investment in staffing and intelligent management of our NHS means that, despite soaring demand, the infirm can expect treatment more quickly than those living elsewhere in the UK. Similar investment in staffing and intelligent management of policing has helped in the reduction of crime and the consequent reduction in the fear of crime. It has campaigned in Westminster for the rights of migrants, of women and of the disabled. These and other actions have made people feel their government, unlike that in Westminster, is caring and inclusive. This has happened despite the relentless campaign of lies, designed to deny these changes, from the dominant media in Scotland.

The dramatic fall in crime in Scotland over the last ten years is the single most powerful piece of evidence that Scotland is becoming more equal. Like most social phenomena, crime levels are affected by many factors, from improved policing policies to home entertainment trends, car ownership or even levels of lead in the environment but we know, absolutely, that more equal societies have less crime and, crucially, that less crime makes life for everyone more equally safe and that that in turn further reduces crime.

Sometimes encouraged by Scottish Government initiatives, but not always, we see evidence that Scotland has more employers paying the living wage, that it has more organ donors and that it has more community ownership of businesses or energy-producers. The providers and the receivers in this process all feel better, more engaged, included. All are then less likely to become addicted, to become anxious or depressed or to engage in crime.

All of these, policies and behaviour patterns, combine and recombine to create actual improvements in terms of equality of experience and, crucially, to create a collective sense of feeling more equal. Tragic reports of division, of violence and of other horros emanating from England, via the ‘national news’ and thus bypassing Scottish media’s filtering out of UK context and its focus on murder, abuse and football, helps those living in Scotland to recognise and to value that which they have.

I’ve rambled but the subject matter is complex and sometimes contradictory, so I excuse myself.

 

 

 

It was disturbingly pleasant to watch for SNP-supporters. The panel and the audience seemed balanced. While there were a few attempts to unsettle John Swinney with attacks from the audience these were few in number and there were none of the pile-ons we saw to see on Question Time.

On a general note, it was pleasingly polite with little shouting over other people’s comments.

But best of all were Stephen Jardine’s expressions of utter astonishment at the fibs and distortions of reality offered by Murdo Fraser and Monica Lennon and his apparent head-nodding enthusiasm for John Swinney’s comments. On the need for migrants and on the stupidity of repealing the offensive behaviour at football act, he could not stop nodding. Is this man a nationalist plant in the BBC?

However, Tory grandee, Lord Farquhar Farquharson of Farquharland, has condemned BBC Scotland for ‘rolling over to Sturgeon’ and for rejecting the applications from 40 of his staff to attend and to represent Scotland more fairly.

He makes sense. Must stop nodding my head when he speaks.

Did she just blame offensive behaviour at football matches on council cuts to…road maintenance?

Brexit vote was based on a lie. ‘You can say that on any referendum?’ Is he admitting they lied in 2014 too?

Hearts fan asks Rangers fan Murdo Fraser if he feels any responsibility after his ‘Queen’s 11’ tweet Stephen remembers the BBC’s royal charter, ignores her and turns to Tom Hunter.

‘I’m a great supporter of Catholic schools.’ Really, why do you feel the need to tell us that? Is it because of your tie and your tweets? ‘I’d like to see more Jewish schools.’ What about Muslim Schools? ‘Muslim parents choose to send their children to a Catholic school.’ Do they like the history class on how the popes launched the crusades?

Well it was fun. I’ll watch at least one more.

From Insider today:

‘Loganair to launch flights from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Stornoway to London Southend. The Essex airport owned by Stobart Group is an expanding gateway for travel to the capital. Aberdeen and Glasgow will have three direct flights each way every weekday and a selection of weekend services, operated by Loganair’s Embraer 145 regional jet aircraft. One-stop services will also be introduced from Stornoway to London on Monday to Friday, with one flying north on Sundays. The airline says it is the first direct service from the Hebrides to London.’

https://www.insider.co.uk/news/loganair-launch-flights-aberdeen-glasgow-14060486

Trains from Southend Airport to London Liverpool Street Station take around 1 hour, run 64 times per day and cost between£5 and £18.

https://www.thetrainline.com/train-times/southend-airport-to-london

Stornoway to London in 2 hours?

TuS CE, Professor Robertson, has declared that he has cousins in Southend and that he is a great fan of Dr Feelgood, but denies any wish get free flights so that he can visit sacred sites for the great Essex band.

Deprivation gap falls by half and attainment climbs.

From news.gov.scot yesterday:

‘94.4% of pupils had a ’positive destination’ including work, training or further study within three months of leaving school last year, official statistics show. The figures also reveal that the gap between those from the most and least deprived communities achieving a positive destination has halved since 2009/10, with an increase in positive destinations for school leavers, from both backgrounds. Over the same period there have been increases at all levels of attainment – the qualifications young people are achieving. For the first time more than 30% of pupils left school with a minimum of five passes at Higher Level or better, up from 22.2% in 2009/10. The gap between those from the most and least deprived areas achieving a pass at Higher Level or better is now at a record low, reducing for the eighth successive year.’

https://news.gov.scot/news/record-high-for-school-leavers-in-positive-destinations

One more area in which SG policies are contributing to reduced inequalities with knock-on effects in health and in crime.

 

Lib-Lab-Lords

https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Drugs-and-Alcohol-Misuse/Publications/2019-02-26/2019-02-26-ARHS-Summary.pdf

I’m sure other factors will have contributed to this positive development over the last ten or eleven years, but, speaking personally, the relative absence of the above two lords from my daily media dose has been a relief.

Seriously, perceptions of inequality are strongly associated with problems such as alcoholism. Has the SG government, within the UK straight-jacket, had some effect on reducing a commonly shared sense of inequality? The fall in crime might also be connected with this.

https://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/SpiritLevel-jpg_0.pdf

 

https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Publications/2019-02-26/2019-02-26-IVF-Summary.pdf

100% of eligible patients are screened within the target time. The target has now been met without fail for nearly five years. The wider benefits for the mental health of women affected is immense. In England % Wales the system is in crisis and open to exploitation by the private sector.

Reducing associated mental health complications

Failing to treat infertility can result in problems and further costs for the NHS in other areas. A Danish study of 98 737 women, between 1973 and 2003, showed that women who were unable to have children were 47% more likely to be hospitalised for schizophrenia and had a significantly higher risk of subsequent drug and alcohol abuse.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn22020-infertility-may-increase-risk-of-mental-disorders/

Meanwhile in Tory-run NHS England, only 12% of boards offer three full cycles in line with official guidance. 61% offer only one cycle of treatment and 4% offer none at all.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/ivf-nhs-treatment-fertility-lists-wait-patients-lottery-budget-cuts-a8028116.html

A warning for Scotland’s 100% IVF post-Brexit: How moneygrubbing Tory IVF policies are creating massive distress now in England

How IVF became a licence to print money.

As we tumble toward a hard Brexit and trade deals with the USA allowing the private sector into the heart of the NHS, we can see how things will work out in the already privatised IVF service in England and contrast it with the state-controlled and regulated version, in Scotland. See this from the Guardian:

‘Private fertility clinics routinely try to sell desperate patients add-ons that almost certainly don’t help – why isn’t more done to monitor the industry?  Around three-quarters of all IVF cycles fail. And results vary with age. Figures from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) published in March state the average live birth-rate for each fresh embryo transferred for women of all ages is 21%; for those aged under 35, it is 29% – the highest it has ever been. For older women, the picture is bleaker: 10% for women aged 40-42, for example. IVF is expensive. And what makes it worse, says Hugh Risebrow, the report’s author, is the lack of pricing transparency. “The headline prices quoted may be, say, £3,500, but you end up with a bill of £7,000,” he says. “This is because there are things not included that you need – and then things that are offered but are not evidence-based.”’

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jun/18/how-ivf-became-a-licence-to-print-money

Creating opportunities for the private sector

In Tory-run NHS England, only 12% of boards offer three full cycles in line with official guidance. 61% offer only one cycle of treatment and 4% offer none at all. Private treatment costs between £1 343 and £5 788 per cycle.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/ivf-nhs-treatment-fertility-lists-wait-patients-lottery-budget-cuts-a8028116.html

Why UK politicians would like more privatisation in the NHS

There are 64 Tory and Labour (New) MPs with ‘links’ to private health care. Why would we trust them to protect the NHS? See this:

https://defendournhsyork.wordpress.com/2017/02/14/selling-off-nhs-for-profit-full-list-of-mps-with-links-to-private-healthcare-firms/

Worlds apart: IVF, mental health and exploitation in England and Scotland

A kinder and wiser approach to IVF treatment in Scotland: Meeting targets and reducing mental health complications

 

We’re grateful to Alex Cole-Hamilton, Junior Shadowy Health Secretary, for his parliamentary question:

‘To ask the Scottish Government how many people in each NHS board area have died in each year since 2009 while waiting for a kidney transplant.’

which generated this information:

https://www.parliament.scot/S5ChamberOffice/WA20190225.pdf

For context, in NHS England:

‘NHSBT records show 411 patients died on the active waiting list for a transplant, between March 10^th2016, and March 2^nd2017.’

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/news-and-campaigns/news/waiting-time-to-kidney-transplant-down-18-but-shortage-of-donors-still-costing-lives/

So, with around 10 times the population, NHS England might be expected to have ten times the deaths, at 310, but had 411 cases or roughly 33% higher.

The Scottish figure has also fallen by 20% in 2018.

Explanation for this gap can be found here:

Organ donor registration in Scotland is 37% higher than in England. Does it mean something more?

NHS Scotland: 27% increase in kidney transplants including 10% increase from living donors as ‘UK’ level falls to eight-year low

 

Going back to only June 2018, we can see a litany of lies from Reporting Scotland on, for example only, school exclusions, crime gangs, obesity, hospital infections and most recently on violent crime.

On June 4, 2018, I wrote on how RS were exaggerating gang violence in Scotland by failing to report on the data revealing that only a tiny proportion of the UK gangs were operating here.

How many GANGSTERS are preying on the financial fears of pensioners? BBC Scotland and Herald care not, as long as they can scare us

 

Also, in June, I wrote to protest their coverage of increasing rates of obesity which failed to note important recent research, revealing the forecast for Scotland to be more positive due to Scottish Government policy interventions and to point to an error suggesting that the growth in obesity was actually a growth in morbid obesity. In the case of the second part only, they apologised to me but did not publicly retract. The damage was done.

BBC Scotland on obesity: My complaint, their tiny grudging acceptance

 

Starting also, in the Summer of 2018, RS had devoted much time to the opposition attacks on P1 assessment. However, it was only in February 2019, that I was able to evidence the lack of substance in these attacks:

How Scotland’s media INVENTED a tear-sodden crisis of P1 assessment

 

In September, despite their small apology in June, they repeated the same lies and distortions on obesity:

BBC Scotland once more hide SNP Government’s policy success to create scare on obesity in women

 

In October, I wrote to correct errors in their statistics and to question their interpretation of research seriously exaggerating school exclusions of pupils with autism. In this case they even apologised to me but did not publicly retract and so the damage was done by then.

Is this a first? Reporting Scotland’s editor apologises fully for errors in reporting on alleged school exclusions of children with autism

 

In February 2019, I wrote about the misleading language used in reporting of hospital infections to suggest that these had killed when they had been at worst only contributory factors, I got another apology but, of course no public retraction and the offences continued after it.

Reporting Scotland editor apologises for Jackie Bird being wrong and ‘has a word with her’

 

Perhaps most visible of these lies have been those they told repeatedly about hospital infections. For a fuller account, see:

How Reporting Scotland INVENTED a crisis of infected hospitals for us

 

Finally, today, RS used a familiar deception, as they had done with morbid obesity, to suggest a rise in violent crime when it had actually fallen and when Police Scotland had actually headlined that it had fallen.

Now Reporting Scotland LIES about violent crime RISING when it FELL

 

These are, of course, only some of the detectable lies biasing their coverage. Far more influential will be their daily editorial decisions often sub-conscious, to report or to not report, as suits their Unionist agenda.

When I say ‘influential’ I mean it. Along with the unionist propaganda called ‘History’ which most of us were conditioned by in school and perhaps at university, we have been subjected to the ‘carpet bombing of our minds’, endlessly, day-after-day, with reports, both triumphalist and devious, in documentary and in drama, suggesting that Scotland is too wee, too poor or too stupid to go it alone.

In liberal democracies, this flow of ideas worms its way into the mind to produce a generalised conservatism and resignation, far more effectively than does the all-too-obvious propaganda of the totalitarian state. The people of Soviet Russia knew not to trust their media. Too many Scots still believe they can trust Aunty Beeb!

Some readers of this throbbing organ are, I know, uncomfortable with this and some have even said they do not share TuS reports because the url has ‘thoughtcontrolscotland’ in it. I understand the fear of being sniggered at and accused of being a conspiracy theorist, but I stand with the insights of Noam Chomsky and I know that Unionists have lost the argument when a cheap insult is all they have left.

Why there is thought control in liberal democratic Scotland and perhaps less in North Korea?